Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi
Photo: Reuters
Iranian
Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi praised the agreement signed
by rival Palestinian factions Fatah
and Hamas Wednesday,
calling it "a positive and welcomed step." The new pact ended the four-year-old rift that has divided the rival factions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Reconciliation
News agencies
Rival Palestinian groups announce signing of initial agreement ending four-year-old rift. Deal calls for formation of interim government in coming days, preparations for elections year from now
In an official statement issued Thursday, Salehi expressed his hope the agreement "would hasten developments within the Palestinian arena and bring victory over the Zionist occupation."
Salehi further extolled the new Egyptian government's role in helping both sides reconcile their differences. "This is the first achievement of the Egyptian people following recent changes," he said.
The Iranian FM expressed his wish that the Rafah crossing would be opened now, "so as to provide Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip their basic humanitarian needs."
Teheran and Cairo have been growing close ever since Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ousted.
Egypt's new foreign minister, Nabil al-Arabi, recently asked Iran to "open a new chapter" in their relationship, and Iran even designated an ambassador to Cairo, which will be sent there soon for the first time in over 30 years.
Iran has been attempting to sabotage peace talks between Israel and Palestinian, pushing for regional instability. The Teheran government sends money and weapons annually to aid Hamas in the Gaza Strip and secure its status in the area as an influential factor in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar clarified that Hamas would not recognize or negotiate with Israel despite the new accord. "Our plan doesn't include negotiating with Israel or acknowledging it. It would be impossible for a national caretaker government to take part in the peace process with Israel."
This statement confirmed Israel's fear that the Palestinians might have given up on the peace process. Israeli officials told Ynet Jerusalem would not be able to sit down with the Palestinian Authority with the Hamas movement by its side.
According to the agreement a national unity government will be established and headed by a leader chosen by both sides. The temporary Palestinian government will not include party representatives and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will be reshuffled so Hamas could join. Elections are expected to be held within a year and both sides have agreed to release political prisoners.
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